Commentary: the Police and Crime Commissioner elections

Following what has proved to be one of the least successful national elections in recent electoral history, a number of Police and Crime Commissioners have, soon after their election, busied themselves in making what have proved to be rather questionable appointments of ‘Deputy Commissioners’. Already the media has levelled criticism at what they have described as evidence of ‘cronyism’ in the choice of deputies where appointments have been made on the basis of personal preference rather than merit. No fewer than 16 PCCs have to date appointed deputies at salaries up to £65,000. In West Mercia the Independent PCC has appointed his own campaign manager as his deputy. West Mercia now appears to benefit from a PCC and deputy PCC who are both ex-police and who are also recently retired from Staffordshire Constabulary, a neighbouring police force.